10928931

Navigation Device with Adjustable Sample Period

PublishedFebruary 23, 2021
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A navigation device, comprising: an image sensor configured to successively capture a first image frame, a second image frame and a third image frame with a high-speed period between the first and second image frames and between the second and third image frames; and a processing unit configured to calculate a first velocity between the first and second image frames, and a second velocity between the second and third image frames, calculate acceleration according to a velocity change between the first velocity and the second velocity, and control the image sensor to capture only a pair of image frames within each low speed period, which are separated by the high-speed period, after the second image frame when the acceleration is lower than a first acceleration threshold, wherein the low-speed period is longer than the high-speed period.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a navigation device designed to optimize image capture for motion tracking. The device addresses the challenge of efficiently processing visual data while maintaining accurate motion estimation, particularly in scenarios where object speed varies. The system includes an image sensor that captures image frames at different intervals. Initially, the sensor captures three consecutive frames with high-speed periods between them, meaning the time between each frame is short. A processing unit then calculates the velocity between the first and second frames, and between the second and third frames. By comparing these velocities, the system determines acceleration. If the acceleration falls below a predefined threshold, the device switches to a low-power mode, capturing only pairs of image frames separated by the high-speed period, while extending the low-speed period between these pairs. This adaptive frame capture reduces computational load while preserving motion tracking accuracy when acceleration is minimal. The invention improves energy efficiency in navigation systems by dynamically adjusting frame capture rates based on motion dynamics.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The navigation device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to calculate a third velocity between the pair of image frames, calculate another acceleration according to the second velocity and the third velocity, and determine a speed period of capturing a next image frame after the pair of image frames only according to a comparison between the calculated another acceleration and a second acceleration threshold.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The navigation device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the first acceleration threshold is different from the second acceleration threshold.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The navigation device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein when the another acceleration is lower than the second acceleration threshold, the speed period of capturing the next image frame is determined as the low-speed period, and when the another acceleration is larger than the second acceleration threshold, the speed period of capturing the next image frame is determined as the high-speed period.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The navigation device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is not configured to determine the speed period of capturing the next image frame according to values of the second velocity and the third velocity.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The navigation device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein when the another acceleration is lower than the second acceleration threshold, the processing unit is configured to control the image sensor to capture another pair of image frames after the pair of image frames within a next low-speed period.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The navigation device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the image sensor is configured to stop capturing any image frame between the pair image frames and the another pair of image frames.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The navigation device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein a time interval between the another pair of image frames is equal to the high-speed period.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The navigation device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein a time interval between the another pair of image frames is different from that between the pair of image frames.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The navigation device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to calculate report displacement according to a first one of the pair of image frames and a first one of the another pair of image frames.

Plain English Translation

A navigation device includes a processing unit that analyzes image frames captured by a camera to determine displacement. The device captures a pair of image frames from a first camera and another pair of image frames from a second camera. The processing unit calculates displacement by comparing a first image frame from the first pair with a first image frame from the second pair. This displacement calculation helps determine the device's movement or position changes, which is useful for navigation applications. The processing unit may also perform additional image processing tasks, such as feature extraction or motion estimation, to enhance accuracy. The device may include multiple cameras positioned at different angles or locations to provide a broader field of view and improve tracking. The displacement calculation can be used for real-time navigation, obstacle detection, or environmental mapping. The system may also incorporate sensor fusion techniques, combining image data with other sensor inputs like inertial measurement units (IMUs) or GPS to refine positioning accuracy. The device is designed for applications where precise movement tracking is required, such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, or augmented reality systems.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The navigation device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein a second one of the pair of image frames and a second one of the another pair of image frames are not used to calculate the report displacement.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The navigation device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when the acceleration is larger than the first acceleration threshold, the processing unit is configured to control the image sensor to capture another image frame after the third image frame by the high-speed period.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The navigation device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the low-speed period and the high-speed period are configured as report periods.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The navigation device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the low-speed period is larger than 10 times of the high speed period.

Plain English Translation

A navigation device is designed to improve positioning accuracy in environments where signals from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are degraded or obstructed, such as in urban canyons or indoor settings. The device addresses the challenge of maintaining reliable positioning by dynamically adjusting its signal processing based on the movement speed of the user or vehicle. The device includes a sensor system that detects the speed of the user or vehicle and a processing unit that modifies the signal processing parameters accordingly. When the detected speed is below a predefined threshold, the device enters a low-speed mode, where it prioritizes signal integrity and accuracy over rapid updates. In this mode, the device extends the time between position updates to allow for more precise signal measurements, reducing errors caused by multipath interference or weak signals. Conversely, when the speed exceeds the threshold, the device switches to a high-speed mode, where it prioritizes rapid updates to ensure timely positioning data. The low-speed period is configured to be significantly longer than the high-speed period, with the low-speed period being at least ten times longer than the high-speed period. This ensures that in slow-moving or stationary scenarios, the device can achieve higher accuracy by spending more time refining signal measurements, while in high-speed scenarios, it maintains responsiveness by providing frequent updates. The device may also incorporate additional sensors, such as inertial measurement units (IMUs) or wheel odometers, to supplement GNSS data and further enhance positioning accuracy in challenging environments.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The navigation device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the high speed period is adjustable.

Plain English Translation

A navigation device is designed to optimize route guidance by dynamically adjusting navigation instructions based on vehicle speed. The device includes a speed detection unit that monitors the vehicle's speed in real-time and a control unit that processes this data to determine whether the vehicle is in a high-speed or low-speed period. During high-speed periods, the device provides concise navigation instructions to minimize driver distraction, while during low-speed periods, it delivers more detailed instructions to ensure accurate route following. The high-speed period threshold is adjustable, allowing customization based on vehicle type, road conditions, or user preferences. This adaptive approach enhances safety and usability by tailoring navigation feedback to the driving context. The device may also include a display unit to visually present navigation information and a storage unit to store route data and speed thresholds. By dynamically adjusting instruction delivery, the navigation device improves driver focus and reduces cognitive load, particularly in high-speed scenarios.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. A navigation device, comprising: an image sensor configured to capture image frames with a low-speed period, wherein the image sensor captures only a pair of image frames within each low-speed period; and a processing unit configured to calculate a first velocity according to a first pair of image frames of one low-speed period and calculate a second velocity according to a second pair of image frames of a next low-speed period, calculate acceleration according to the first velocity and the second velocity, and adjust the low-speed period to a high-speed period, which is a time interval between capturing two image frames, when the calculated acceleration is larger than an acceleration threshold, wherein the low-speed period is longer than the high-speed period, and within the low-speed period, the image sensor is configured to capture the pair of image frames separated by a first time interval and stop capturing any image frame within a second time interval after the first time interval, wherein the first time interval is equal to the high-speed period and the second time interval is longer than the first time interval.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The navigation device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the processing unit is not configured to adjust the low-speed period to the high-speed period according to values of the first velocity and the second velocity.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The navigation device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the processing unit is further configured to calculate report displacement according to a first image frame of the first and second pairs of image frames.

Plain English Translation

A navigation device for determining displacement of a moving object, such as a vehicle or drone, using visual odometry techniques. The device captures image frames from a camera mounted on the object and processes these frames to estimate movement. The processing unit analyzes pairs of image frames to detect changes in the visual environment, which are used to calculate displacement. The device includes a memory for storing image data and a processing unit that performs image analysis, feature extraction, and motion estimation. The processing unit is configured to calculate displacement by comparing a first image frame from two pairs of image frames, ensuring accurate tracking of movement over time. This method improves navigation accuracy by reducing errors in displacement calculations, particularly in dynamic environments where visual features may change rapidly. The device is useful for autonomous navigation, robotics, and other applications requiring precise position tracking without relying solely on GPS or inertial sensors. The system enhances reliability by cross-referencing multiple image frames to mitigate errors from transient visual disturbances.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The navigation device as claimed in claim 18 , wherein a second image frame of the first and second pairs of image frames is not used to calculate the report displacement.

Plain English translation pending...
Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The navigation device as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the pair of image frames is successively captured at an initial of the low-speed period.

Plain English Translation

A navigation device is designed to enhance positioning accuracy during low-speed or stationary periods, such as when a vehicle is in traffic or at a stop. The device captures a pair of image frames from a camera at the beginning of a low-speed period to establish a reference point. These frames are processed to detect and track features in the environment, allowing the device to estimate movement or drift during the low-speed period. The device then uses this information to correct positioning errors, improving the accuracy of the navigation system. The system may also adjust the frequency of image capture based on the vehicle's speed, ensuring efficient use of computational resources while maintaining accuracy. This approach helps mitigate errors caused by sensor noise or environmental factors, particularly in urban or congested areas where traditional GPS signals may be unreliable. The device integrates these corrections into a broader navigation solution, providing more reliable positioning for applications such as autonomous driving, advanced driver-assistance systems, or precise mapping.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

February 23, 2021

Inventors

Joon-Chok Lee
Kevin Len-Li Lim

Want to explore more patents?

Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.

Citation & reuse

Analysis on this page is generated by Patentable — an AI-powered patent intelligence platform. AI-generated summaries, explanations, FAQs, and analysis may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL below. Patent abstracts and claims are USPTO public domain.

Cite as: Patentable. “NAVIGATION DEVICE WITH ADJUSTABLE SAMPLE PERIOD” (10928931). https://patentable.app/patents/10928931

© 2026 Nomic Interactive Technology LLC. Machine-readable context available at /api/llm-context/10928931. See llms.txt for full attribution policy.